Gas plan sparks jobs

maitland.yourguide: "A $550 million gas pipeline project will ignite an economic and business boom in Maitland by supplying cheap gas from Queensland to the region, according to its developers.
The high pressure pipeline will be built between the Wallumbilla Gas hub in south-east Queensland and Hexham, forming the 'missing link' in the eastern Australian gas network.
The State-significant project has been proposed by the Hunter Energy consortium of Hardie Holdings, Hunter Land and Weston Aluminium, with financial backing from ANZ Infrastructure Services.
During an exclusive briefing on Friday, Hardie Holdings general manager Matt Somers told the Maitland Mercury the pipeline would drive down prices by providing competition for gas supply in the region.


This would significantly increase business interest in areas including the Rutherford, Beresfield and Thornton industrial estates as well as the Hunter Economic Zone near Kurri Kurri, he said.
Residential gas users would also benefit from the price war.
About 800 jobs are expected to be created in regions along the length of the 850km pipeline during its construction, with an additional 150 employees needed once it becomes operational.
Hunter Energy is also in the process of finalising approval for a 37km pipeline that will travel from Seahampton via the Hunter Economic Zone and Weston to the Rutherford industrial estate.
It is worth $15 million and is expected to create up to 100 jobs during construction.
The two pipelines will link up at Rutherford, before passing through Maitland to join the existing Newcastle gas pipeline at Hexham.
Mr Somers said the pipeline projects would work in conjunction to provide a secure supply of cheap gas to businesses and residents loc"